Manchester United could be closing on a deal for Mehdi Benatia after the defender dropped out of Roma’s squad to face AEK Athens in a friendly.

Rudi Garcia’s side travel to the Greek capital tomorrow but according to the Mirror, they go without Moroccan international Benatia, who has been linked with a move away all summer.

Benatia missed a training session earlier in the week, with the club claiming he was getting treatment on an injury, although reports in Italy suggested this may not have been the case.

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are thought to be leading the chase for the centre-half, but United remain keen on getting a deal done, while Chelsea are also believed to be in the frame.

United boss Louis van Gaal is desperate to add another defender to his ranks having seen Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra all depart Old Trafford this summer, while only Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo have come in.

Benatia is set to cost in excess of £30m if a deal is to be done before the transfer window closes in little more than a week, but it now looks all but certain he will be leaving Roma, with just the destination to be decided.